Hair-treating device

ABSTRACT

CLAIM 1. Hair-treating apparatus comprising: a headset having a crown, said headset being adapted to cover the hair and scalp area of the head of a person being treated, a plurality of brush means mounted for movement within said headset for contacting and treating hair on the head of a person, means for moving said brush means in a controlled pattern against the head of the person being treated, means for extending and retracting said brush means into and out of contact with the person&#39;&#39;s head, and dispensing means connected to the interior of said headset for selectively dispensing liquids to the hair being treated.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Richard E. Rudd Rockville, Md. (1605Garden St., Santa Barbara, Calif. 93101) [21] App]. No. 489,631 [22]Filed Sept. 23, 1965 [45] Patented Apr. 20, 1971 [54] HAIR-TREATINGDEVICE 12 Claims, 23 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 132/9 [51] Int. Cl A45d 19/00 [50] Field of Search 132/9,7, 45; 128/52, 65, 64; 222/96,81, 510, 541;401/135, 139

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,806,363 5/1931 Narbo222/81 2,856,918 10/1958 Kingery et a1 128/64 2,865,383 12/1958 Kaley132/45 3,177,868 4/1965 Wallace et a1. 128/65 3,343,530 9/1967 Solos eta1 128/65 2,987,743 6/1961 Capps 401/135 Primary Examiner-Louis G.Mancene Assistant Examiner--Gregory E. McNeill Attorney-Cushman, Darby8L Cushman CLAIM: CLAIM 1. Hair-treating apparatus comprising: a headsethaving a crown, said headset being adapted to cover the hair and scalparea of the head of a person being treated, a plurality of brush meansmounted for movement within said headset for contacting and treatinghair on the head of a person, means for moving said brush means in acontrolled pattern against the head of the person being treated, meansfor extending and retracting said brush means into and out of contactwith the persons head, and dispensing means connected to the interior ofsaid headset for selectively dispensing liquids to the hair beingtreated.

PATENTEDAPRZOIENI 3575, 1 1

' sum 1 or a 2P0 GER/"M ['JMP w INVENTOR Fg/M ORNEYg PATENTEU APRZO [anSHEET 2 BF 8 PATENTEU APRZO I97! SHEET 0F 8 INVENTOR flaw/e0 522/1717PATENTED APR20 19?! SHEET 5 UF 8 INVENTOR 56564481? 1?. 111,227

BY I

424m, zgm ATTORNFYE PATENT ED-APR20IH7I I 3,575,181

ATTOR N EYS PATENTEU APRZO mm 3 575, 1 1

- sum 8 0F 8 INVENTOR 6074817 EFz/JJ v ATTORNEYS n-"ntamrino names Thisinvention relates to a hair-treating device and particularly to a devicewhich can be programmed to automatically carry out a variety oftreatments on an individuals hair. The device provides for automaticallyand semiautomatically shampooing, rinsing, coloring and drying the hairin any sequence of steps or combination of steps as required for aparticular hair-treating process. The hairtreating device of thisinvention is designed in a commercial form for use in beauty salons andbarbershops and also in a compact model for use in the home.

Certain types of hair-treating devices are generally known in the art,and such devices have included apparatus for drying hair that has beensharnpooed or otherwise previously treated by manual means. Otherdevices have attempted to provide for the application of liquids to thehead of a person but these devices have been unsatisfactory in making athorough and complete application of liquids to all parts of the hairbeing treated. None of the prior-art attempts have provided for aconstruction which accomplishes a programmed series of treatments forthe hair which is thorough and safe for use in the usual beauty salon orhome situation.

In beauty salons, barbershops and homes the task of performing suchfunctions as shampooing, coloring, rinsing and drying hair is one thatis both time consuming, inconvenient, and expensive.

in commercial salons and shops, the above-described processes are oneswhich consume a substantial percentage of the working time ofexperienced and skilled operators or barbers. This in turn prevents themfrom applying their time more profitably to tasks where manualdexterity, skill, and creative abilities are mandatory. It alsodecreases the volume of customers or appointments which each operatorcan handle or will book in the course of a working day (from thestandpoint of time available as well as physical fatigue).

in salons or shops where personnel of less skill or experience than thequalified operators, barbers or cosmetologists are employed to performthe tasks described above, the cost incurred to management in the formof salaries or other financial arrangements are an economic drain whicherode the profits of the business. Also, this category of worker isoften unreliable. Further, management is forced to perform the addedburden of keeping records and complying with local, state and federaltax and work laws for these workers.

it is one purpose of the device of this invention to automate the typeof functions described above. This in turn eliminates certain shopappliances and equipment, and it also frees the skilled operators fromunnecessary harsh tasks while at the same time substantially increasingthe earning power and profits in salons and shops where this device isemployed; further, this machine performs similar luxury service in thehome.

The functions performed by this device include but are not limited topreparation, washing, cleaning, rinsing, shampooing, coloring,massaging, drying, applying lotions or treatments includingdisinfectants in regulated sequences under controlled environmentalconditions.

The machine permits the users or operator to adjust the headset(semiautomatically) to fit the customer's head. This action willpreclude fluids or liquids (or gases if used) from escaping and seepingfrom the desired confined area. The adjustment device will encase orclose about the head and neck area and will provide a comfortable fit,according to individual head and neck shape, size, and contour.

The temperature, flow rates, consistency, and type of solutions (liquidor gas) used in the functional processes will be controlled to thedesired extent.

The machine permits the use of a wide variety of special or uniquesolutions as well as those products which are currently stocked andsold.

The machine is designed to permit the user to be seated in a related orinclined position or in an upright or standing position while programmedfunctions are being performed.

The device also permits the desired functions to be selectedindividually or collectively as desired.

The present invention provides for a hair-treating device which isadaptable for carrying out a number of treatments on a singleindividual. For example, it is possible, through the use of this device,to apply shampoo and rinses and then to follow such application with adrying cycle if required. Additionally, it is possible to include cyclesfor coloring, massaging and treating the hair prior to the final stylingof the persons hair. The hair-treating device of this invention includesa headset or hood which fits over the head of the person being treatedand which contains novel actuating devices for dispensing liquids andfor treating the hair and scalp of a person. The headset also includes anovel headband adapter which adjusts to individual head sizes and whichserves to confine liquids or gases to desired areas within the treatingzone of the apparatus. Brush units are provided for treating the hairand scalp of the person and also for uniformly dispensing separatesolutions in accordance with a programmed cycle.

The hair-treating device also includes a control cabinet structure whichprovides for the selection of a particular program of treatment for thehair and scalp. The control cabinet structure has control mechanisms forcontrolling actuating devices carried in the headset unit and suitableconnections are made between the control cabinet and the headset forcarrying out the control functions and also for conveying liquid orother fluids to the headset. A programmer is carried by the cabinet unitand includes pushbutton actuation devices for selecting andautomatically controlling a sequence of operations for the treatment ofa persons hair and scalp. The programmer also provides for initialfitting of the headset to a particular head size.

The headset structure of this invention includes an inner frame unitwhich carries a plurality of brushes and applicators for contacting aperson s hair and scalp and for applying liquid or other fluids to thatarea of the persons head. The frame unit has an upper movable portionand a lower stationary portion which are fitted within the hood unit soas to surround a persons head where the hair treatment is to be applied.The movable portion of the frame unit is located in the crown of theunit and above the ear line of a person's head so as to contact themajor crown portion of the head and scalp. Driving means are providedfor moving the upper frame portion so as to carry brushes andapplicators which are mounted within the frame into overlapping patternsof movement that will assure an even and thorough treatment of hair andscalp in all areas. The lower part of the frame unit includes astationary portion which is affixed to an inner wall of the hood. Thelower portion corresponds roughly to the area of a person's head whichis found around the ears and in the upper part of the neck, and it isnot necessary to move the frame unit in these areas because of thelimited amount of hair and scalp which is to be treated in those areas.However, means are provided in the lower frame unit for individuallymoving brushes carried by that portion of the frame so that an even andthorough treatment is also assured in those areas below the ear line. Itis also possible to provide for a structure wherein both the upper andlower frames travel in a circular motion so that the same movements areapplied above and below the ear line by an integral inner frame unit.

A plurality of brushes and applicators are mounted for individualmovements within the frame unit itself. Such movements are provided by abrush track which moves along the longitudinal axes of individual brushtrack holder arms carried by the frame unit. The brush track holder armsare arranged so as to extend outwardly and radially from a central crownportion of the frame unit, and these arms are curved downwardly so as tofollow the general contour of a person's head. lndividual brushescarried by the brush tracks are constructed to be adjustable toward andaway from an individual's head, and this permits an adjustable contactof all brushes carried by the hood to fit the particular shape and sizeof any head which is being treated. Means are also provided forextending each brush inwardly toward the person's head until contact ismade, and then movement is automatically stopped until it is desired toremove the hair-treating device from the person's head. Automatic returnmeans are also provided for retracting all brush units simultaneouslyupon completion of a hair-treating operation.

The brushes of this invention provide for a combined function ofapplying fluids to a person's hair and also for distributing the fluidsin a controlled pattern so as to thoroughly and completely treat all ofthe scalp and hair on the head of a person.

For this purpose, a plurality of separate conduits communicate with eachof the separate brushes within the headset of this device, and theseparate conduits extend to sources of supply for the various liquidswhich are to utilized in hair-treating processes. The sources of supplyfor the liquids include a novel means for expelling controlledquantities of liquid from cartridges which can be quickly and easilyinserted into a liquid-discharging device carried by the cabinet.

Other advantages of this invention will become apparent in the moredetailed discussion which follows and in that discussion reference willbe made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FlG. 1 represents a perspective view of the hair-treating device andillustrates the relationship of a control cabinet to the headset of thedevice;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the headset showing portions cut away toillustrate detail;

FIG. 2a represents a sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis ofa hairnet storage cylinder associated with the headset illustrated inFIG. 2;

FIG. 2b illustrates a cross section of an adjustable headband adapterassociated with the headset of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a portion of the headset structure, showingthe positions of several brushes as related to a brush track holderwithin the hood;

FlG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame unit contained within theheadset, and illustrating an upper movable portion for said frame unittogether with a lower stationary portion of the frame unit;

FlG. 5 is a detailed illustration of a single brush track holder andbrush track included in the frame unit;

FIG. 6 is a detailed illustration of a roller mounting for supportingthe movable portion of the frame unit in a track carried by the headset;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation of the headset showing theconstruction and actuating means for the brushes carried thereby;

FIG. 7a illustrates in detail an actuating mechanism for moving brushescarried by a lower frame section;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a brush means shown in its retractedposition;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the brush means of FlG. 8 as shown inan extended position;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 10-10 of FIG. 9 andillustrating a clutch mechanism associated with a single brush actuatingmeans;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 11-11 of P16. 9 andillustrating a retracting mechanism for returning the brush units totheir uppermost retracted positions;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 12-12 of FIG. 9 andillustrating the means for connecting separate fluid conduits intodispensing relationship with a brush support column;

FlG. 13 illustrates in detail a pressure-controlled valve structureassociated with individual liquid conduits of this invention;

FIG. 14 is an elevational cross section of a liquid discharge system fordischarging liquids to individual conduits leading to separate brushesin the headset;

FIG. 15 is a detailed illustration of a single puncture means associatedwith the system of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates an elevational view of a single brush element;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a disassembled portable hairtreatingdevice designed for home use; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 18-18 of FIG. 17,showing various components associated with the portable hair treatingdevice.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the hair-treating device is indicatedgenerally at 10, and is shown in a form that is adaptable for commercialuse in beauty parlors or similar types of shops. This form of thehair-treating device includes a base cabinet 12 that carries variouscontrol devices for regulating a particular hair-treating process whichis being administered by the device. A headset or hood unit 14 issupported on a column 16 above the cabinet 12. The headset includes asuitable pivotal mounting means 18 at its junction with the upper end ofthe column 16 so that the hood may be tilted back into an inoperativeposition and forwardly into an operative position. Also, the column 16is vertically adjustable relative to the cabinet 12 so that the headsetmay be raised and lowered to a desired level.

The headset 14 includes applicator means and brushing means about itsinner surface and in positions for contacting the head of the personreceiving a hair treatment. As will be described in greater detaillater, means are provided for adjusting the brushes and applicators tofit all sizes and shapes of heads, and control devices are included inthe cabinet for permitting an. automatic adjustment of the brushes andapplicators. The headset unit 14 also includes means for admittingheated, forced air into the unit so that the treated hair may be driedafter a shampooing operation or after any other treatment which isadministered.

Referring to FIG. 2a, a hairnet storage cylinder or tube 22 isillustrated to show a hairnet in a stored position. The storage cylinder22 is mounted between inner and outer walls of the headset 14 so that ahairnet will be easily accessible to the user or operator of thehair-treating device. The storage cylinder 22 includes an inner accesscover 23 and an outer access cover 25. The inner access cover may behinged or snap fastened to the end of the cylinder and is easily removedso that the hairnet can be withdrawn from its stored position and placedover the head of the person being treated. The hairnet is connected toone end of a cable or cord 17 which is of sufficient length to permitthe net to be fully withdrawn from the cylinder 22. The cord isconnected at its opposite end to the outer access cover 25, so that uponremoval of the outer cover, an operator may pull the cover outwardlyaway from the cylinder 22 so as to pull the hairnet back into a storedposition. The outer access cover 25 is snap fastened to the outer end ofthe cylinder 22 in a manner similar to that described for the cover 23.

An inflatable headband and adapter assembly 20 is removably mountedaround the entire lower perimeter of the hood unit 14 and is placeablearound the hairline of the person's head so as to prevent the movementof shampoo or hair-treating liquids downwardly past the headband andadapter assembly. As shown in FIG. 2b, the headband and adapter assemblyincludes a relatively rigid headband 19 which is preformed tosubstantially follow the contour of a persons hairline. An adapter 21 isconstructed to be snap fitted-and retained within the confines of theheadband 19, and the adapter 21 includes an inflatable inner wall 29which can be expanded by air pressure to conform to the particular headsize which is being treated. The outer wall 31 of the adapter 21 is madeof a rigid material having a projecting rib which can be mated with agroove formed in an adjoining surface of the headband 19. Thus, theadapter ring can be snap fitted into or easily removed from itsassembled position with the headband 19. The headband 19 includesfastening devices 15 about its outer surface so that it can be clippedinto its usual position, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The fastening devices15 are designed to permit an easy fastening and removal of the headbandand may be in the form shown or of any other design. The headband isdesigned to follow the contour of a person's hairline, but is made froma sufficiently flexible material so that it can be formed into variouscontours and shapes. By utilizing the headband and adapter assembly 20,a larger head-receiving opening may be included in the headset, than hasbeen possible with prior devices, while at the same time there isprovided a good sealing means between the inner lining of the headsetand the head of a person being treated. If it is desired to useunusually large hair rollers (for example, rollers having a 2-inchdiameter) on the persons head, the headband and adapter unit isunsnapped from its mounted position until the head has been properlyplaced within the headset. Once the person's head is in place, the unitcan be snapped back in place, and then the wall 29 is inflated to form aseal between the adapter and the persons head. As illustrated in FIGS. 2and 2b, the headband is mounted against a membrane or wall member 39which completes the sealing of the hair and scalp within the treatingzone of the headset. The membrane 39 may be convoluted, as illustrated,and it surrounds the entire perimeter of the headset opening. Theheadband and adapter of this invention provides for an accurateplacement of an inflatable tube to follow a desired hairline contour, asdetermined by the shape of a relatively inflexible headband. The meansfor inflating the adapter is not illustrated but includes ahand-operated pumping device which can be actuated by the person who isbeing treated. For this purpose the control means for the pump islocated in a position where a seated customer can easily reach thecontrol for adjusting the inflation of the headband.

The headset 114 also includes a pump line 27 for removing liquids andsolutions which accumulate in the lower part of the unit during ahair-treating operation. The pump line 27 is connected to a conventionalsuction device within the cabinet l2 and provision is made fordischarging fluids from the headset and into a suitable drainageconnection associated with the cabinet 32.

The cabinet 12 includes a blower 24 for forcing heated air through ahose 37 and into the hood unit, and suitable controls are provided forregulating the temperature and draft of the blower means. Additionally,the cabinet l2 includes a programming device for establishing a sequenceof treatments to be administered by the hair-treating device, and suchtreatments may include washing, rinsing, drying and coloring functionsin various orders and for various durations. The cabinet also includes anovel liquid-discharging means for receiving cartridges of liquids, forexample, liquid shampoo or liquid hair color. The discharging meansprovides for breaking the cartridges and expelling liquid from them sothat the liquids can be conveyed to the various administering brushescarried within the headset 114. For this purpose, a number of conduitsare provided between the cabinet and the hood unit, and suitable waterlines are also provided for carrying hot and cold water and mixtures ofthe same into the cabinet and ultimately to the treating zone within theheadset or hood unit.

Referring to FIG. 3, the hood unit M has been cut away to show thevarious components included within the unit for carrying out thetreating functions of the hair-treating device. A motor unit 26 ismounted in an upper central position within the hood unit and provides asource of power for moving all adjustable and movable parts within thehood 114. The motor is of a conventional construction and is preferablyan electrical motor which is controlled by the programmer and bybuilt-in control devices.

The motor 26 drives the movable parts within the headset unit through agearbox 23 which is connected to three concentric drive shafts leadingfrom the motor. The gearbox 2% includes gearings for providing: l areciprocating circular motion to a main drive unit 30; (2) abrush-adjusting motion; and (3) a reciprocating motion for moving allbrushes by means of a brush track. The main drive unit is interconnectedto an inner frame unit 32 which is mounted within the hood and whichincludes a movable upper portion 33 and a fixed lower portion 35. Theframe unit 32 carries brush devices 34 in a plurality of brush trackholders 36 which extend radially and downwardly about the innercircumference of the hood. The brush track holders 36 are in the fonn ofhollow arms which are affixed to a crown portion of the frame unit 32,and thus all circular reciprocating movements of the upper frame portion33 about the vertical axis of the motor 26 are relayed to the brushtrack holders and to the brushes carried therein. It will be appreciatedthat the reciprocating rotative movements of the upper frame unit 33 areabout an axis which is generally a vertical axis passing through thecrown of the hood. The brush track holders 36 are provided withelongated slots 38 which receive adjustable support cylinders 40 forsupporting the brushes 34. The support cylinders 40 and the brusheswhich are carried on their innermost ends are carried on brush tracks 41which are mounted for reciprocation up and down along the individuallongitudinal axes of the track holders 36, and in this manner thebrushes can be moved up and down in their contact with the hair which isbeing treated.

ln addition to the motions just described, the brushes 34 are alsomounted for movement toward and away from the head of a person beingtreated by the device. Such movement is necessary to accommodate theplurality of all brushes to all shapes and sizes of heads which arebeing treated. As shown in FIG. 3, the individual brushes 34 are mountedon support cylinders 40 which are placed in spaced positions along thebrush track holder arms 36. The support cylinders 40 are shown as beingmade up of at least two telescoping sections which can move toward andaway from each other along the central longitudinal axis of each supportcylinder. Such movement results in a movement of the various brushestoward and away from the contoured head of a person.

Movement of the brushes inwardly toward the center part of the hood I4is accomplished by a driving unit 46 which can be selectively drivenfrom an output shaft of the gearbox 28. The driving unit 46 is in theform of a pulley which winds up or releases a cable 42. When it isdesired to extend the brushes downwardly to the center of the treatingzone within the hood, the driving unit 46 is actuated so as to wind thecable 42 in a direction which will cause the telescoping sections ofcolumns 40 to extend away from each other. The telescoping movement ofthe sections which make up the columns 40 is accomplished by a spiralgroove mechanism which will be described in greater detail below.Basically, this movement causes a spiraling of one section relative tothe other so that an extension or retraction of an inner sectionrelative to an outer section may be determined by the direction ofrotation between the two sections. Additionally, a spring windup isincorporated in the brush adjustment structure so that when the brushesare extended they are acting against the tension of a windup springwhich provides for a retraction of all extended brushes when they arereleased from their extended positions.

Looking now to the construction of the inner frame unit 32 in greaterdetail, as shown in FIG. 4, 5, and 6, it can be seen that the innerframe is constructed to generally follow the contour of the interior ofthe headset 14. The inner frame includes a crown portion and separateframing structures 43 are carried at the crown portion of the unit forsupporting the motor housing and the gearbox housing associated with thedriving means for the device. The inner frame unit is divided into anupper frame portion 33 which is movable for reciprocation about agenerally vertical axis taken down through the crown portion of theunit. A lower frame portion 35 is rigidly affixed to a lower part of theheadset, and no rotative movements are applied to the lower frameportion. The separate frame portions are mounted to the interior of thehood by support bands 50 which are secured to an inner face or tomounting posts within the shell of the headset 114. The support bands 50are in the form of guide rails having guiding slots 52 for receivingrollers or other bearing devices carried by the brush track holders 36.The rollers may be attached on the outside surface of the separate brushtrack holders so as to ride in the guiding slots of the support bands50. in this manner, rotative forces can be applied to the inner frameunit and the upper frame portion can be rotated within the guiding andsupporting structure provided by the support bands 51). The means forrotating the inner frame unit includes the driving means 30 which isconnected to the gearbox 28. The driving means may include gear teethabout its periphery and these gear teeth engage with matching teethformed about the inner surface of a support ring 56 which is rigidlycarried at the crown portion of the inner frame unit. Alternatively, thedriving means may be welded directly to the support ring 56 so as toform an integral driving structure. In the preferred embodiment of thisinvention, the rotative movements which are applied to the upper frameunit are limited to reciprocation back and forth about the vertical axiswhich corresponds to the drive shaft axis of the motor. Suitablegearings and control devices are provided for selectively engaging ordisengaging the driving means so as to reciprocate the entire upperframe unit in accordance with a controlled program. i

As shown in FIG. 7, the brush track holder arms extend radiallydownwardly from the crown portion of the inner frame unit and includeindividual brush tracks 41 which are carried for reciprocating movementwithin the separate brush track holder arms 36. The brush tracksfunction to carry the individual brush means 34 in spaced positionsalong the lengths of each of the brush holder arms, and further, thebrush tracks function to apply reciprocating movements to the brushesalong the longitudinal axes of the brush holder arms. In this manner,all of the brush means carried within the hairtreating device can bemoved back and forth within limited reciprocations, and this movementcoupled with the circular movement which can be applied to the innerframe unit results in a thorough and even application of fluids to thehair being treated. The separate brush tracks 41, which carry and moveall of the brush means contained within the device, are moved by a camand by a plurality of rocker arm means which are positioned to beactuated by the cam surface. The actuation means of the brush tracks isshown in FIG. 7, and it can be seen that each of the brush tracks islinked to its own rocker arm 60 at an upper end of the brush track. Thelinkage may be of any conventional type, but a preferred linkage isshown in the form of a short cable 62 which connects a lower end 64 ofeach rocker arm with the upper end of its brush track. The rocker arm 60is mounted for rocking movement about a pivotal axis determined by asupport 66, and the support is in the fomt of a ring which may be moldedor otherwise formed integrally with parts of the crown portion of theinner frame unit. Upper ends 68 of the rocker arms are engaged by arotating cam 70 which has a cam surface for applying rocking movementsto the individual rocker arms. By selecting a particular contour for thecam surface, the plurality of rocker arms can be actuated to move thebrush tracks up and down to the desired amount and at the desiredfrequency. A spring means 72 is inserted between the upper end of eachbrush track and a supporting structure 74 carried by the-crown portionof the inner frame unit. The spring means is tensioned to normallyreturn each brush track 41 to its lowermost position within its brushtrack holder 36, and upon the application of rocking movements to theseparate rocker arms 60 the brush track can be moved upwardly to thedesired extent. Of course, the range or movement of the brush trackswithin the brush track holders is calculated to correspond to the extentof movement which is possible for each of the brush columns 40 to makein the individual slots 38 which are formed in the brush track holders.Also, the range of movement of the brush tracks is varied in accordancewith the head size which is being treated. As the individual brushes areextended further toward the center of the headset to accommodate smallerhead sizes, the brush tracks are reciprocated for shorter distances thanwhen the brushes are in upper positions for larger head sizes. Thisadjustment in the range of movement is accomplished by the programmer,which selects the portion of the cam 70 which will actuate the variousrocker arms 60.

The up and down movement of all brushes within an individual brush trackholder, as just described, also applies to those brushes carried in thelower frame portion 35. Although the lower frame portion 35 can be butis not normally rotated, as is the upper frame portion 33, it is afeature of this invention that the brushes carried by the lower frameportion are moved up and down by the same mechanism which actuatesbrushes carried by the upper frame portion. FIG. 7 illustrates aconnecting link 76 between the brush track holders of a single brushholder arm where the holder arm is divided for the necessary plane ofrotation between the upper and lower frame portions. The connecting link.76 permits relative rotational movements between the upper and lowerframes, and also pennits the brush tracks associated with the upperbrush track holder arms 36 to actuate brush tracks associated with thecorresponding lower brush track holders. Thus, upward movements of abrush track, as dictated by the cam and rocker arm means, results inupward movements of all brushes carried by both track sectionsassociated with the upper and lower frame portions. A spring means 78 isinterconnected between the brush track holder of the lower frame portion35 and its respective brush track so that the brush track will normallybe returned to its lowermost position when it is not being moved by apulling movement of a rocker arm 60. FIG. 7a illustrates an alternativeconstruction for actuating the brushes of the lower frame portion 35which includes means for reciprocating the brush tracks in response tocircular movements of the upper frame unit 33. The upper frame portion33 carries a ring 80 having a cam surface. As the upper frame portionrotates about its vertical axis the cam surface of the ring 80 contactsand actuates follower members 81 affixed to each of the brush trackholders of the lower frame portion 35. The follower members 81 arelinked to brush tracks within the brush track holders, and when thefollowers are moved up and down by their contact with the ring 80, thebrush tracks and the brushes carried thereby are likewise moved up anddown.

Although the movements of the brush tracks have been described withreference to a cam and rocker arm construction, it is contemplated thata rotating central cam may be directly connected to a suitable followerand linkage means which is rigidly connected to the brush tracks so asto directly drive each of the tracks up and down within their respectiveholder arms.

FIG. 7 also illustrates the actuating means for controlling theextension and retraction of the individual brushes 34 which aresupported at the ends of the individual support columns 40. Theactuating mechanism for extending and retracting each of the brushesincludes a cable means 42 extending 'from a central actuating pulley 46and then downwardly into driving contact with all of the brushes carriedby a single brush track holder 36. Separate cables extend from thecentral pulley 46 across each of the separate brush holder arms, and allof the cables are actuated simultaneously by the central pulley so as toapply an extending or retracting movement to all brush means at the sametime. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a typical cable for one of the brushholder arms is shown as extending over rollers 84 which are carried by atension device 86, and then the cable is wound around and between pulleymeans 88 carried by each of the brush support cylinders 40.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the support columns 40 and brush meanscarried thereby are shown in completely retracted and completelyextended positions, respectively. It can be seen that when the brushunit is in its retracted position of FIG. 8 the column 40 extends wellabove the brush track holder arm 36, as opposed to its position of beingsubstantially below the brush track holder when in its extended positionof FIG. 8. Because of the relative changes in position of the pulleymeans 88 which are carried at the upper ends of the columns 40 andbecause of the reciprocating motion of the brush track, a tensioningdevice 86 is included to accommodate the change in lengths of the cables42, as required to compensate for variations caused by the abovemotions. The pulley means 88 carried by each brush support column isrigidly secured to an upper portion of the column so that when turningmovements are applied to the pulley by a winding and unwinding of thecable 42 from its central actuating pulley as, a rotation is applied toone of the cylinder members which make up the telescoping supportcolumns 40. For example, the support column pulley 88 in FIG. 9 is shownas being drivingly connected to the outer and inner telescoping tubemembers 90 and 96 so that rotational movements applied to the pulley aswill cause the tube members to likewise rotate. The outer tube 90 isprovided with a helical groove 93 about its outer surface, and thisgroove 93 receives a projecting follower member which is carried in thebrush track. As the pulley 88 is rotated, the outer tube is rotated andguided by the groove 93, and the outer tube only is extended by theinitial rotation of the pulley 8%. When the outer tube 90 reaches itslowermost extended position relative to the brush track, it is stoppedand a continued rotation of the pulley 88 causes the inner tube to beextended by the rotation of a driving cam llli. An inner helical groove92 on the driving cam llll engages a follower member 9% carried by theinner tube and causes the inner tube to be extended. Brushes 34 arepositioned at the ends of the inner tubes as and are mounted to permitthe tube to rotate relative to the brush unit. The brushes are preventedfrom rotating by a telescoping pin means 98 which extends from adjoiningparts of the brush holder arms foreach brush unit. Also, a spring means100 is included in the mounting means for each brush M so as to permit acertain amount of limited resilience against any surface that it maycontact.

Each adjustable support column 40 includes a clutching mechanism forautomatically stopping an extension movement of any individual columnupon contact of the brush means carried by the column with the head of aperson being treated. This feature is important because it permits allbrushes to be simultaneously extended by the cable mechanism, justdescribed, from a central pulley means which is actuated to wind andunwind all cables on demand. Normally, all brushes would extend at thesame rate and for the same distance, but the clutching mechanism of thisinvention provides for an automatic stopping of individual brushes uponcontacting a surface. In this manner, all brushes can be extended to fitthe contour of any shape or size of head which is being treated by thedevice. The clutching mechanism I02 is illustrated in FIG. It) in theform of a leaf spring lltld which is interposed between a turning part82 carried by the winding pulley $8 and a turning part connected to theinner tube member 96. The spring member may be in the form of a leafspring having sufficient surface area to contact and drive the upper endof the driving cam member Ill. The upper end of the driving connectionis provided with a series of dimples or projections about its innersurface where the leaf spring contacts that surface for driving thesame. Where there is no resistance against the extension of the brushmember, the leaf spring makes a driving contact with the dimpled surfaceof the inner tube member, and the outer tube continues to drive in anextending direction. However, when the brush M contacts the head of aperson, there is a resistance to continued extending movements of theinner tube member, and the tension of the leaf spring is selected topermit a slipping of the spring over the dimpled surface so as tointerrupt the normal driving connection at that point. Thus, the drivingcable d2 continues to rotate all pulleys connected to the cable, butsome of the pulleys may be interrupted in their driving relationship totheir support columns 40 when the brushes carried by the columns meet agiven resistance.

FIG. lit illustrates a windup spring mechanism associated with eachsupport column 40 for assisting in a return of the individual brushunits to their completely retracted positions when the direction ofmovement of the cable means 82 is reversed. The windup mechanism may bein the form of a helical spring lltltti which has a normally woundconfiguration when the brush unit is in its FIG. 8 position of completeretraction. The spring W6 is connected at its inner end to the outertube member 90 which is connected to the pulley 88 so that uponextension of the support column by a rotation of the tube members, thespring is unwound. The outer end of the spiral spring 106 is rigidlyaffixed to a stationary cylindrical housing 108 which does not rotate,and when the brush unit and column are fully extended, the spring means106 is under a tension which would normally cause the spring to resumeits position shown in FIG. 8. However, brush units are held in theirrespective extended positions by stopping all movements of the cablemeans 42 during any particular hair-treating operation, and asolenoid-operated lock 110 prevents the spring 106 from retracting untilthe lock is released. As illustrated in FIG. .9, the lock 110 includes apin 117 which can be extended and retracted into locking engagement withan inner rotating member 113 connected to the. inner tube member. Uponcompletion of the hair treatment, the locks lit) for all of the brushunits are automatically retracted so as to permit a retraction of allbrushes by the action of the springs 106. If some of the brush unitsreach their uppermost retracted positions prior to the completeretraction of other units, the clutching mechanism described for FIG. 10permits a continued rotation of all pulley units by the cable 42 for allbrush columns until the brushes have all reached their uppermostpositions. As an alternative to the spring retraction mechanism justdescribed, the brushes can also be adjusted by suitable gearings andsolenoid-operated switches so as to be extended and retracted, asdesired.

FIG. ll2 illustrates a top plan view of a single brush unit, andconnections are shown into an upper central part of the support column40 for receiving various conduits which are connected to sources ofliquid used in the hair-treating operations. For example, one of theconduits may be a waterline for dispensing clear water at preselectedtemperatures to the hair and scalp of a person being treated, and theremaining conduits may convey hair dye or color and shampoo or rinsingsolutions. The conduits are connected to main lines in a central part ofthe hood device and lead into the cabinet 12 where they are connected toa liquid supply. Suitable valving devices are included in the cabinetstructure for controlling the flow of liquids through the differentconduits and ultimately into the brush means 34 where the liquids areapplied to and spread over the hair of a person being treated.

In a preferred form of the present invention, liquid dyes, rinses orshampoos are conveyed to the various brush columns through conduitshaving pressure-regulated valve means within the conduits and in theproximity of the dispensing points for liquids. These liquids areconveyed through the conduits under a low pressure up to the points ofthe pressure valve means, and the valves are constructed to prevent thedispensing of any liquid until the line pressure of the conduits israised beyond a certain level. The advantage in this system resides inthe ability to convey a color or other liquid right up to the point towhere it is dispensing into an individual brush unit and onto the hairwhich is being treated. Alternatively, the valves can act to merelydelay the passage of fluid for a short time until all conduits arefilled. Because of the varying lengths of conduits between the source ofsupply and the separate brushes carried in different locations withinthe headset unit, it is important to control the release of a solutionso that the hair is being treated at the same time and to the samedegree in all places. This invention provides for a restricted portion112 in each of the conduits, as illustrated in FIG. 13. The restrictionof the conduits serves as a pressureresponsive valve, and therestriction is sufficient to prevent the passage of liquids when theconduits are under a very low line pressure. Because of thischaracteristic, a liquid, such as a hair color, can be conveyed under alow pressure to the valve which is associated with each brush member,and the liquids can then be released simultaneously for all brushes bysimply raising the line pressures by an amount which will overcome thevalve restriction. Preferably, the separate valves are located in aclose proximity to the points of dispensing the liquid, and a suitablelocation is near the support columns 40 where the conduits enter theindividual columns for dispensing liquids to the same. The interiorsurfaces of the columns are preferably coated with a liquid-repellingcoating material such as Teflon or a silicone so that liquid residuewill not accumulate in the columns.

A separate brush unit 113 is located at the crown of the headset, andthis unit is connected to a drive shaft means from the motor 26 so as tobe reciprocated in circular motions.

All of the brushes of the headset are attached to an inner liner 114which defines an inner surface for the headset. The liner 114 includesperforations 115, so that heated air can circulate through the headsetwhen the blower in the cabinet is actuated for a drying operation. Theliner 114 may be made from a plastic material but should be sufficientlyresilient to accommodate movements of the brushing devices which areattached to the liner about their outer edges.

A novel means for conveying liquids to all of the brushes and forreleasing them at a desired time is shown in FIG. 14. Thisliquid-discharging structure is preferably carried within the cabinethousing 12, and includes a chamber 116 for receiving a package of liquidcartridges 118 which can be individually punctured so as to releaseliquids into conduits leading to all of the separate brushes. For thispurpose, the conduits are shown as terminating in receiving nozzles 120located along one wall of the loading chamber. The receiving nozzles 120include puncturing means such as shown in FIG. 14 and each nozzle can beplaced into and through the wall of a cartridge so that liquid will bereleased into the receiving nozzle. Cartridges can be made up tocorrespond to the positions of the receiving nozzles within the loadingchamber 116 and a stack of such cartridges for any particular liquid canbe placed in a rack and lowered into the chamber in a position forpuncturing. A loading handle 122 is mounted so as to move an oppositewall 124 of the loading chamber toward the wall carrying the receivingnonles. The opposite wall includes separate puncturing nozzles 126corresponding to each of the nonles carried in the receiving wall. Uponmovement of the opposite wall inwardly toward the stack of cartridges,all puncturing nozzles on both walls enter separate cartridges, and theliquid within the cartridge is ready to be conveyed into the receivingconduits leading to the brushes. Liquid is expelled from the cartridgesby means of air pressure which can be admitted through the hollowpuncturing nozzles carried by the opposite wall 124, and the entry ofair pressure through those nozzles serves to expel the liquid from eachadjoining cartridge into its respective receiving nozzle. The airpressure can be regulated from a suitable supply. such as a compressorand storage tank, and a low pressure can be applied for the purpose ofcarrying a liquid up to the pressureresponsive valves 112 describedabove. Then when it is desired to release the liquid onto hair which isbeing treated, the pressure within the chamber 128 is raised to cause adispensing of liquid through all brushes simultaneously. Alternatively,a medium pressure can be used to discharge and convey the liquid throughall conduits and then the valves 112 act only to delay the dispensing ofthe liquid for a fraction of a second. This delay permits all conduitsto become filled before actual dispensing onto the hair takes place.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a singlebrush membercarried at the end of a support column 40, as used in the apparatus ofthis invention. The brush member includes a brush face having aplurality of projecting bristles which contact the hair for spreadingliquids to all parts of the hair. A brush-backing member 130 may be madefrom plastic, wood or rubber material and the bristles are sufficientlyresilient to contact the head of a person while at the same timeproviding a safe spreading action of liquid being dispensed onto thehair. Although liquids may be dispensed into the headset through deviceswhich are separate from the brush members, a preferred construction isshown where the dispensing of liquids takes place through the brushmembers. Various conduits, as already described, lead into the column 40so as to discharge liquids into the column and down to a brushdispensingnozzle 132. The brush member also includes additional backing plates 134which serve to attach the brush members to the perforated inner liner114. The inner liner may be secured to the backing plates of the brushesby sandwiching the same between the plates, as shown, or any other meansof adhering the liner to the brushes may be used.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in theform of a portable unit for use in the home. The portable unit includesa lower base portion 136 and an upper portion 138 which serves as a hoodor headset for the unit. The two portions are latched together withfastening devices 140 to form a case for storage and carrying of theentire unit, and when they are separated, the upper portion or hood 138is mounted on a hollow support column 142 which can be fitted into anopening 144 carried by the lower base portion 136. The support column142 serves as a duct for heated air to be blown upwardly and into theheadset 138. Also, various conduits for liquid lines can pass throughthe column and into the headset, in the same manner as they do in thecommercial embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. In its assembled fon'n, theportable unit can be placed on a table with the hood or headset directedaway from the base portion so that a person can be placed under thehood. The support column 142 is hinged at a central level so that it canbe disassembled and stored within the headset as illustrated in FIG. 16.The support column may be clipped or fastened in any known way to theinterior of the case for storage. An upper mounting bracket 146 iscarried by the support column for coupling with a receiving rod 148carried on the outside of the upper portion of the unit. The supportcolumn is hollow so that heated air can be blown from a blower meanscarried in the base portion 136 into the opening 144 and up the column,where it is then dispersed to the interior of the headset. The headsetincludes all of the control and actuating devices described for thecommercial embodiment of this invention, and likewise, means fordischarging various liquids are provided in this form of the invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates certain elements carried within the base portion136, and these include a suction pump 150 for removing excess liquidsthat are drained downwardly through the column 142 for ultimatedisposal. In addition a waterline adapter 152 is provided, and thisattachment includes a resilient receiving neck 154 which can be fittedover the usual faucets of a home sink. The desired temperature of watercan be controlled by the faucet handles and then the water is directedthrough the waterline 152 and into a receiving line in the headset. Abypass valve 156 is carried by the waterline, so that the flow of waterthrough the line may be interrupted at any desired time by merelydischarging water through the bypass valve. This valve may be of anyconventional construction which permits a diversion of a water streamfrom a main line through a branch line and is used when the operator isinitially adjusting faucets for a correct water temperature. Theportable home unit also includes compressed-gas cartridges 158 which areused to expel liquids from packages that are punctured in the samemanner as described above. The liquid-discharging device, including thecartridge-receiving chambers and the puncturing devices, is carried inan upper part of the portable unit at 138.

In a typical operation of either of the embodiments of this invention,as discussed above, the customer is placed under the headset and theheadband is inflated for a comfortable fit. Then a program selection isactuated by the operator by pushing automatic buttons associated withthe programmer. The program will determine types of treatments to beadministered, their duration and their sequence. If the operation is ashampooing operation, warm water is sprayed over the customer's head andthen the shampoo solution is dispensed into the headset through thebrush dispensers. After the hair is wetted with water and shampoo, thebrushes are automatically activated so as to thoroughly apply theliquids throughout the entire hair and scalp area. Additional sequencescan dispense rinse water, rinse solutions and any of the sequences canbe repeated as determined by the initial program which is fed into themachine. Upon completion of the treatment, the headset is tilted back180' and is sterilized with a solution which is emitted through thebrush nozzles or from a separate sterilizing device. The sequences arevaried in accordance with beauty shop practices when it is desired tocolor or dye the hair and all functions of this type can be carried outwith the single apparatus of this invention.

Although this invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, variations will become apparent to those skilled in theart, and such variations are intended to be included within the scope ofthe invention.

lclaim:

l. Hair-treating apparatus comprising:

a headset having a crown, said headset being adapted to cover the hairand scalp area of the head of a person being treated; v

' a plurality of brush means mounted for movement within said headsetfor contacting and treating hair on the head of a person;

means for moving said brush means in a controlled pattern against thehead of the person being treated;

means for extending and retracting said brush means into and out ofcontact with the persons head; and

dispensing means connected to the interior of said headset forselectively dispensing liquids to the hair being treated.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of brush means aremounted on an inner frame unit within said headset, said inner frameunit being connected for reciprocation about a vertical axis through thecrown of said headset.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said inner frame unit includesholders radially extending from a central crown portion of the frame,said holders including means for mounting said plurality of brush meansfor reciprocatory movement along the arcuate axes of said holders.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dispensing means includeconduits leading from a liquid supply to the headset and wherein saidconduits are connected to said plurality of brush means so as todispense liquids through each of said brush means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said conduits include valving meanswhich are opened by fluid pressure within said conduits, whereby thedispensing of liquids into contact with the hair can be controlled by acontrol of pressure within the conduit. 7

6. The apparatus of claim wherein said valving means are located in theproximity of the connection between each conduit means and each brushmeans, whereby liquid can be released into all brushes simultaneously,irrespective of differing lengths of individual conduits leading fromthe supply of the brush means. 1 t

7. The apparatus of claim 1, and including an adjustable headband meanscontained within said headset for confining liquids to only the hair andscalp regions of the person being treated, said adjustable headbandmeans including a prefonned adapter which is removably attached to theinner surface of said headset so as to define the hairline of the personbeing treated and an inflatable headband portion which can be inflatedto confine liquids within said headset to the hair and scalp of a personwithout any leakage of said liquids past the hairline defined by theadapter.

8. The combination of claim 7 and including a hairnet retrieval tubecarried by said headset for containing a hairnet in a stored conditionand including access means to said tube means within said headset forremoving the hairnet from its stored position.

9. ln hair-treating apparatus having a headset means adapted to coverthe hair and scalp area of the head of a person being treated andincluding a plurality of brush means and liquid-dispensing means withinthe headset for applying liquid treatments to the hair and scalp, theimprovement comprising: pro rarnmingmeans for controllin the se uenceand duration 0 arr-trea mg operations applre throu said headset, saidprogramming means being operatively connected to control the flow offluids to the headset in accordance with a desired sequence oftreatment, and said programming means being operatively connected tosaid brushes to control the adjustment of brushes carried within saidheadset for operative contact with the hair and scalp of the head of aperson being treated.

10. The apparatus of claim I, and including discharge of liquidsolutions to the dispensing means within said headset, saidliquid-discharging means including a reservoir for receiving a quantityof liquid to be discharged to all dispensing means within said headset,and means for expelling said liquid from the reservoir and into separateconduit means leading to the separate dispensing means within theheadset, said reservoir further comprising a chamber for receivingliquid cartridges, and including puncturing means carried within saidchamber and associated with separate conduits leading to the headset forpuncturing said liquid cartridges when they are placed within saidchamber so as to release liquid into the separate conduits.

ll. The improvement of claim 10 wherein said expelling means comprises agas pressure means for expelling liquids from said cartridges and intosaid separate conduits.

12. The improvement of claim 11 wherein said gas pressure means includesa source ofcompressed gas and control means for controlling the amountof pressure applied to the liquid cartridges within said reservoirmeans, whereby a low pressure can be applied to initially dischargeliquid from the cartridges without dispensing said liquid onto the hairand scalp of a person being treated and whereby a higher pressure can beapplied to cause a dispensing of the liquid onto the hair and scalp at adesired time.

1. Hair-treating apparatus comprising: a headset having a crown, said headset being adapted to cover the hair and scalp area of the head of a person being treated; a plurality of brush means mounted for movement within said headset for contacting and treating hair on the head of a person; means for moving said brush means in a controlled pattern against the head of the person being treated; means for extending and retracting said brush means into and out of contact with the person''s head; and dispensing means connected to the interior of said headset for selectively dispensing liquids to the hair being treated.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plurality of brush means are mounted on an inner frame unit within said headset, said inner frame unit being connected for reciprocation about a vertical axis through the crown of said headset.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said inner frame unit includes holders radially extending from a central crown portion of the frame, said holders including means for mounting said plurality of brush means for reciprocatory movement along the arcuate axes of said holders.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said dispensing means include conduits leading from a liquid supply to the headset and wherein said conduits are connected to said plurality of brush means so as to dispense liquids through each of said brush means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said conduits include valving means which are opened by fluid pressure within said conduits, whereby the dispensing of liquids into contact with the hair can be controlled by a control of pressure within the conduit.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said valving means are located in the proximity of the connection between each conduit means and each brush means, whereby liquid can be released into all brushes simultaneously, irrespective of differing lengths of individual conduits leading from the supply of the brush means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, and including an adjustable headband means contained within said headset for confining liquids to only the hair and scalp regions of the person being treated, said adjustable headband means including a preformed adapter which is removably attached to the inner surface of said headset so as to define the hairline of the person being treated and an inflatable headband portion which can be inflated to confine liquids within said headset to the hair and scalp of a person without any leakage of said liquids past the hairline defined by the adapter.
 8. The combination of claim 7 and including a hairnet retrieval tube carried by said headset for containing a hairnet in a stored condition and including access means to said tube means within said headset for removing the hairnet from its stored position.
 9. In hair-treating apparatus having a headset means adapted to cover the hair and scalp area of the head of a person being treated and including a plurality of brush means and liquid-dispensing means within the headset for applying liquid treatments to the hair and scalp, the improvement comprising: programming means for controlling the sequence and duration of hair-treating operations applied through said headset, said programming means being operatively connected to control the flow of fluids to the headset in accordance with a desired sequence of treatment, and said programming means being operatively connected to said brushes to control the adjustment of brushes carried within said headset for operative contact with the hair and scalp of the head of a person being treated.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, and including discharge of liquid solutions to the dispensing means within said headset, said liquid-discharging means including a reservoir for receiving a quantity of liquid to be discharged to all dispensing means within said headset, and means for expelling said liquid from the reservoir and into separate conduit means leading to the separate dispensing means within the headset, said reservoir further comprising a chamber for receiving liquid cartridges, and including puncturing means carried within said chamber and associated with separate conduits leading to the headset for puncturing said liquid cartridges when they are placed within said chamber so as to release liquid into the separate conduits.
 11. The improvement of claim 10 wherein said expelling means comprises a gas pressure means for expelling liquids from said cartridges and into said separate conduits.
 12. The improvement of claim 11 wherein said gas pressure means includes a source of compressed gas and control means for controlling the amount of pressure applied to the liquid cartridges within said reservoir means, whereby a low pressure can be applied to initially discharge liquid from the cartridges without dispensing said liquid onto the hair and scalp of a person being treated and whereby a higher pressure can be applied to cause a dispensing of the liquid onto the hair and scalp at a desired time. 